Filter cigarettes



H. GANZ v FILTER CGARETTES Filed June 15 1959 June 26, 1962 HII Unitedtates Patent G 1 3,040,752 FILTER CIGARETTES Henry Ganz, 610 ChurchillRoad, Teaneck, NJ. Filed June 15, 1959, Ser. No. 820,469 8 Claims. (Cl.131-10) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in filtersand filter plugs for ltering smoke travelling through cigarettes and thelike, and is an improvement of the conventional parallel plastic fiberfilter wherein the contiguous end portions of the fibers are fusedwhereby there are substantially no free and unattached end portions inthe end face of the filter.

Cigarettes, without filters, consist of paper and tobacco, the paperbeing wrapped around rolled tobacco in cylindrical form with the tobaccoextending from one end of the cylinder to the other end. In cigaretteswith filters, one end of the paper cylinder is devoid of tobacco. Inthis empty end there is positioned a filter or filter plug. The lengthof the plug is usually a fraction of the length of the paper cylinderwhich holds the tobacco and the filter plug. The filter plug is usuallyalso made of paper wrapped around the filtering material to form acylinder whose outer circumference is slightly less than the innercircumference of the paper cylinder that is wrapped around the tobaccoto form the cigarette. `In production, the filter and the tobacco areusually enwrapped by the cigarette paper simultaneously.

A ltering material commonly in use today is cellulose acetate. Thefilter plug is usually cylindrical in shape and made of paper wrappedaround a bundle of parallel filaments or fibers of cellulose acetate toform a plug. It is also substantially of the same diameter as thecylinder of tobacco.

When the filter plug and tobacco are enwrapped in the usual manner toform a filter cigarette, the tobacco extends from one end of thecigarette up to the filter with the filter extending yfrom the tobaccoto the opposite end of the cigarette.

With acetate material extending to the very end of the cigarette,objections have been raised that the tars and nicotine trapped in thefilter material can be transferred Ito the tongue or lips of the smokerwhen the cigarette is placed between his lips. To overcome thisobjection, which has been called lter feedback, one leading cigarettemanufacturer leaves a recess in the outer end of the filter. However,leaving such a recess weakens the end of the cigarette so that it isfiexible and gives laterally when pressed by the lips. And, even with afilter that extends to the end of the cigarette, i.e. those without therecessed end, the ends are also many times -too flexible and weaklaterally, and easily give under lip pressure.

My invention overcomes the above objections and gives to the filter endof such cigarettes a lateral trusslike support which makes the smokersend of the cigarette firm and rigid, whether or not the end of thecigarette is recessed and regardless of the length of any such recess.

This support in performing its primary function of a support also act asa barrier :to the escape of tars and nicotine through the filter.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will becomeapparent from a reading of the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing in which- FIG. 1 is aperspective view of a cigarette embodying my invention; and,

FIG. Z is an enlarged view of an enlarged end of a filter cigarette withthe means for forming the lateral support therein; and,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view of the filter end of thecigarette of FIGS. 1 and 2; and,

FIG. 4 is a view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, in the direction ofthearrows thereon; and,

3,040,752 Patented June 26, 1962 FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 butwith a larger recess in the cigarette end; and,

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 2 but with the truss-like support modified topresent a greater number of radial supports; and,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevational view of the modified form of myinvention; and,

FiG. 8 is a view of FIG. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows 8 8;and,

FIG, 9 is a view of a simple apparatus used in connection with theformation of the filter of my invention.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating means Vfor holding the filter cigarettestationary.

Referring now to the various figures of the drawing for a. completedetailed description of my invention, it will be seen in FIG. 1 that Ihave illustrated a so-called filter cigarette With the .filter plug 10at one end of the cigarette, the balance of the cigarette consisting ofthe tobacco wrapped in paper 11 in the usual cylindrical form. At theouter end of the filter plug 10 can be seen truss-like lateral supportv13s. This support, made of cellulose acetate, under pressureand heathas been fused and formed into the shape shown in FIGS. l and 2.

In FIG. 2, a portion of the cigarette at the filter end has been tornaway to show the -outer cylindrical paper wrapper 11, the paper cylinder14 in which the cellulose acetate material `15 usually parallelfilaments or fibers is contained tov form the filter plug.

The truss-like support with its radially extending ribs 16 between whichare hollow cavities 17, is formed by the insertion of tool 18. This toolis rod-like with one end cut as indicated in FIG. 2 or FIG. 6. It, ofcourse, can also be cut or formed at the end in any other configurationor shape desired. As shown in FIG. 2 it has radial recesses cut thereinso that upon the pushing of the tool 18 into the filter plug 10 pressuremay be exerted upon the outer contiguous end portions of the acetatematerial by first pressing against the material to form the radial ribs16.

The rod-like tool is so dimensioned that its outer circumference is lessthan the inner circumference of the paper cylinder which holds theacetate filter material. This is for the purpose of permitting therod-like tool to be inserted into the paper cylinder 14 which Iholds theacetate filter. This tool 18 is heated and maintained at -a temperaturesufficiently high to cause the acetate to fuse. A temperature ofapproximately F. has been found to be sufficient. This temperature `tofuse the filter material, however, must be regulated according to feedof production, and in production this fusing operation must be operatedso as not to materially block the openings between the filter filamentsor fibers.

With the rod-like member 18 heated, it is then inserted into papercylinder 114 at one end and pressed against the outer surface filtermaterial 13 just long enough for the outer surface of the filtermaterial to fuse. When the material fuses, it forms a -somewhat hardshell over the area to which the heated rod has been pressed,thusleaving a somewhat rigid area conforming in inverse shape to theshape of the lrod end 18. This is clearly shown in FIG. 2.'

The end of the rod is usually rounded so that when the radial cuts 19`are made therein, as shown in FIG. 2, four prongs or fingers 20 areformed at theend thereof. These fingers are rounded on their outersides. When the rod 18 is pushed into cylinder 14 and pressed againstthe filter material 13, the four cavities 17 formed therein each havetwo vertical walls 21 and one sloping or curved Wall 22..

The hardening or fusing of .the acetate by the heated ro'd I18 causesthe filter material, where fused, to be thicker or denser than theunfused adjacent filter material. This fused area (FIG. 2) extends oversubstantially the entire exposed radial area of the filter material. Thefused area 1s sufficiently porous so that it does not act to prevent thesmoke from passing therethrough. Neither does it render the filter moredifficult for the smoker to draw the smoke through it. It does, however,act as an additional Abarrier and trap in cutting down on the amount oftars and nicotine that escape with the smoke passing out of that end ofthe cigarette filter. The smoke of the lit cigarette in travellingthrough the cigarette passes first through the unfused filter materialand then through the dense or fused area of the same filter materialthus in effect giving a double filter with one filter material.

The fusing at the end of the filter material makes the fused area thickand rigid and with the truss-like ribbed area formed as shown in FIG. 2,the lateral collapsing or inward flexing of the paper cylinder 14 isresisted when rthe pressure of the lips of the smoker is exerted againstthat end of the cigarette. When the heat and pressure from the member 18is applied against the cellulose acetate filter, the fusing extends ashort distance beyond the surface and into the filter material such asshown in FIG. 4 at 23 thus giving strength to the entire fused area.

While I have shown a ribbed fused area, it should be understood that bymaking the end of the tool 18 (FIG. 2) flat I can give a completely fiatfused surface area to the filter material and this fused area can bedeep as shown in FIG. 4 or it can be m-uch shallower depending ontemperature and pressure applied to the filter material. After theheated rod 18, is illustrated, has been inserted into cylinder 14 andpressed against the lter material, the fused area takes the shape shownin FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an end elevational View of the same fused areashown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 4, which is a view taken along the line 4-4 of the filter ofFIG. 3, the cellulose acetate lter material has been pressed downwardlya short distance to form a shallow recess 24. This figure alsoillustrates the round shape the bottom of the fused area taken when theheated member 18 is inserted into the cylinder 14 and pressed againstthe filter material 25.

In FIG. 5, the rod member 18 is inserted into cylinder 14 a somewhatgreater distance to provide a deeper recess (24) than that shown in FIG.4. The same numerals are used throughout the various figures of thedrawing to denote the same parts.

lFIG. 6 shows a modified rod-like heating and pressing member which isadapted to be inserted into the filter plug of the cigarette leavingtherein on the lter material six radially extending ribs 16a.

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the fused lter which has beenshaped by the member 18a of FIG. 6. It should be understood that I canprovide any number of ribs desired although I am only showing twodifferent formations, one with four radial ribs (FIG. 3) and one withsix radial ribs (FIG. 7) merely as illustrative of the various formsinto which I can shape the fused material. For example, while I haveillustrated (in FIG. 8) the fused area 23 to be rounded, I can by makingthe end of the rod-like element fiat and by making radial cuts thereincause the fused area 23 to be flat and to extend at substantial rightangles to the vertical ribs that would be formed by the radial cuts.

In operation and to prevent the filter material from sticking to theheated pressing rod 18, I can cover the surface of that end of themember '18 that comes into contact with the filter material with a smallamount of Wax, generally paraiiine wax or `some similar material. Thisnot only prevents the cellulose acetate from sticking to the member 18but leaves a thin layer of such material on the outer surface of thefused area thus giving additional strength to the fused truss-likeportion of the filter material. If waX is not used for this purpose,water or a small amount of steam can be applied to the rod with the`heat to the rod being regulated so as Ito insure fusing. The use of thewater or steam will also prevent the cellulose acetate from adhering tothe rod.

Since such wax is porous it does not in any way retard the passing ofthe smoke through the filter. It does, however, operate as an additionalor third barrier to the passage of tars and nicotine through the lter. Ihave found that it particularly retards 4the passage of tarstherethrough.

It can thus be seen that I have provided a triple barrier filter againstthe passage of nicotine and tars therethrough-the first barrier is thenon-fused cellulose acetate, the second is the fused layer of celluloseacetate and the third is the thin layer of material such as wax. At thesame time I have lalso provided a strong lateral support to resistlateral fiexing or crushing of the filter.

In FIG. 9, I have shown a simple device indicating how the rod-likemember could act upon filter cigarettes moving along in production. Themember 18 would be pushed to the right to enter the filtered end of thecigarette and would immediately be drawn back. This could be set up inany well known manner such as `by spring and cam means or by any otherwell-known means. The Wax in liquid form could be fed from a reservoir28 onto the forward or pressing end of member 18. The supply of wax tomember 18 can be controlled in any well-known manner. Such a simplemechanism as this would not interfere with present cigarette productionand would not require alteration of present machinery.

In FIG. l0 I have shown pipe means 30 through which a vacuum can bedrawn (by any standard means) sufficient to hold the cigarette 11 inplace while member -18 compresses and `fuses the cellulose acetate asheretofore described. In FIG. l0 the cigarette is set in a groove whichcan, if desired, ybe also machined out of member Z9. Other means such asa mechanical means may also be employed.

While I have illustrated the filter plug of my invention as beinginserted into a cigarette with the fused filter material at the outerend of .the cigarette, it should be understood that I may have the fusedarea on the inner end of the plug. For example, I could have the plugshown in the drawings reversed so that the fused end is next to thetobacco or I can have the center radial por-tion of the plug composed ofthe fused material with the unfused material on both sides of the fusedmaterial. I can also, if desired, have only fused material with nounfused material in the plug.

Also, while I have disclosed cellulose acetate as the primary filteringmaterial, it should be understood that other filtering materials of thesame class or group as cellulose acetate may be used provided suchmaterial is capable of being fused and when fused is sufficiently porousto permit smoke to pass therethrough.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention,it should be understood that various modifications thereof may be made,all within the scope of the appended claims, without departingtherefrom.

What I claim is:

1. A cigarette comprising a cylindrical body of tobacco, a cylindricalfilter unit adjacent one end of the tobacco and in alignment therewithand of substantially the same diameter as the body of tobacco, awrapping sheet around the tobacco and the filter unit, said filter unitcomprising a cylindrical body of cellulose actate material withsubstantially all of the contiguous end portions of fibers of saidacetate material at the outer end face of the filter being fused wherebythere are substantially no free and unattached end portions in the saidend face of the filter.

2.. A cigarette as defined in claim 1 in which the fused acetatematerial has a porous coating of wax on its end face.

3. A cylindrical filler plug for cigarettes comprising fused andnon-fused cellulose acetate material encompassed within a paperWrapping, with the fused portion being porous and extending oversubstantially all of theV entire circular outer area of one end of saidcylinder.

4. A cylindrical filter plug for cigarettes comprising fused andnon-fused cellulose acetate material encompassed Within a paper wrappingwith the fused portion being porous and extending throughoutsubstantially the entire outer circular area of one end of saidcylinder, said fused area being formed into a truss-like support.

5. A cylindrical lter plug for cigarettes comprising -fused andnon-fused cellulose acetate material encompassed within a paperwrapping, with the fused portion being porous and extending oversubstantially the entire outer circular area of one end of ysaidcylinder, and including radial strengthening ribs formed in said fusedarea.

6. A cylindrical filter plug for cigarettes comprising cellulose acetatematerial enclosed Within a paper wrapping, a portion of said celluloseacetate material at one end of said cylinder being fused by heat andhaving radially extending ribs, said ribs having their outer portionssubstantially ilat.

7. A cylinder filter plug for cigarettes comprising cellulose acetatematerial enclosed Within one end of a cigarette, a portion of the saidcellulose acetate material at one end of said cylindrical plug beingfused 4by heat, said fused portion having a porous layer of wax on itsouter face.

8. A lter. for cigarettes and the like, said filter comprisingheat-fusible material of the class of cellulose acetate, said materialbeing enwrapped by paper to Iform a cylindrical plug, said material atone end of said plug having a substantial portion of its outer surfacefused.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

